Indian Philosophy

Author(s): Sukhlal Sanghavi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 92

LECTURE FIVE
THE ELEMENT GOD
We have already given some consideration to the element soul. In the course of philosophical speculation there are discussed numerous elements like the non-conscious element, the conscious element soul, God and so on; but in a way all such discussion is centred around the conscious element soul. For whatever be some other element, even if it exists in its own form a cognition of it, a consideration of it, a utilization of it, an enjoyment of it-all this is possible only on the part of a soul. Indeed, an evaluation of all element whatsover is possible only because of the consciousness pertaining to a soul. Consciousness, capacity-for-cognition and lifeactivity-these three constitute the successive or gradually evolved states of the element soul. Hence it is that the conscious element cannot rest content with a mere consideration, utilization or enjoyment of things non-conscious; but there is well hidden within it such a capacity as attracts it towards an elements superior to and more auspicious than itself. Out of this attraction there has come into existence the idea of the element God, an idea developed and even assimilated in their own life by the philosophers, subtle thinkers and spiritual realizers.
Introductory
A desire to know about the course of creation-out of curiosity or out of wonder, a longing for protection against all fear and all danger as also for attaining a permanent bliss, a natural inclination to get attracted towards what might act as a staunch support, an eagerness to whole-heartedly dedicate oneself to something great and incomprehensible and an inclination to realize equality or identity with this something-these and similar other compulsions appear in the conscious element soul one after another or all together. As a result thereof the concept of God takes its rise in multifarious forms. Thus in the midst of the entire human community there is no such group which feels confident without positing, in one form or another, under one name or another, an element superior to itself. However, presently the concept of God is going to be considered chiefly on the basis of the established philosophical traditions. Hence this considera. tion has got its own limitation
It has already been said that a number of philosophers posit a multiplicity of non-conscious elements while others posit a single non-concious element, Similarly, a number of philosophers posit a multiplicity of consc